Truck Drivers and Nurses Continue As Most Sought After Employees

Truck Drivers and Registered Nurses Continue to be the Most Sought- After Employees According to HWOL (Help Wanted Online) Data

MONTGOMERY – Data collected and analyzed by the Alabama Department of Labor’s Labor Market Information Division shows that the most online wanted ads were for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, registered nurses, and retail salespersons, with 7,393 ads placed for those occupations in
June. Overall ads were up over the month by 2.4%. The Help Wanted Online (HWOL) data is compiled from all online job postings in the state, including
those posted on the state’s free online jobs database, www.joblink.alabama.gov, and other sources; such as traditional job boards, corporate boards, and social media sites. There were 41,177 online ads this month, of those 15,864 were new ads. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a mean wage of $19.91 per hour, registered nurses earn a mean wage of $28.26 per hour, and retail salespersons earn a mean wage of $13.49 per hour.

TOP OCCUPATIONS WITH MOST ONLINE ADS	Online Ads June 2018	Online Ads June 2017	Change (Percent)	Average Hourly Wage
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	4,173	3,028	37.8%	$19.91
Registered Nurses	1,838	2,423	-24.1%	$28.26
Retail Salespersons	1,382	1,349	2.4%	$13.49
Customer Service Representatives	699	685	2.0%	$16.23
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	680	675	0.7%	$18.50
Industrial Engineers	672	595	12.9%	$42.90
Software Developers, Applications	602	520	15.8%	$45.09
Computer User Support Specialists	518	576	-10.1%	$23.69
Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers	426	425	0.2%	$14.79
Cashiers	422	246	71.5%	$9.73

Source: Alabama Department of Labor, Labor Market Information Division in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The above wage data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current Employment Cost Index (ECI) factors reflecting wages as of March 2018. ‘NA’ indicates data that is not publishable or occupation does not work the traditional 2,080 hours per year.

“Industrial Engineers design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination. With knowledge of engineering and technology,
production and processing, mathematics, mechanics and design, this occupation helps shape the future of manufacturing within Alabama. With a bright outlook and estimated annual growth of 1.33% through 2024, this occupation continues to show high demand throughout the state,” said Fitzgerald
Washington, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Labor.

The top three employers posting ads in June were: Averitt (896), UAB Medicine (621), and Community Health Services, Inc. (418). Thirty-nine percent of all online ads are less than 30 days old, and 74% of all ads are less than 90 days old.

“We’d like to encourage anyone who needs a job, or wants a different job, to come into one of our Career Centers for assistance,” said Washington. “Our trained staff can assist you in obtaining the career you want.”

A listing of Career Centers can be found at www.joblink.alabama.gov.

The Alabama Department of Labor / The Alabama Career Center System is a partner in Alabama Works, Alabama’s unified workforce system.